Bert Klemmer, Graduate
BA Sport Development and Management, 2013-2016
MA Leadership and Management of Sport and Physical Activity, 2016-2017

I am originally from Estonia and I chose to come to England because I felt the UoB would offer me much more than just a degree. I believed that studying in Bedfordshire would help me to enhance my knowledge, gain work experience and allow me to network with the specialists from the UK industry which all will prepare me for future career. When I look back on my time at the University, all these expectations that I listed were actually met. For example, during the 4 years I was at the University of Bedfordshire I was lucky to work in many roles, such as a Futsal/Football Activator, SportBeds Assistant, Head Coach of Women’s Football 1^st and 2^nd team and Student Department Representative for the School of Sport Science and Physical Activity.

Also, I was fortunate to be involved in organising and planning real life projects with organisations from the industry. Such as projects with England Rugby Football Union (RFU), Estonian national football team coaching staff and Bedfordshire County Sports Partnership (team BEDS&LUTON) where I gained many valuable contacts. I think combination of all this considerably helped me to secure my current role at Team BEDS&LUTON before I even finished my BA degree. Team BEDS&LUTON is one of 43 County Sports Partnerships across England responsible of delivering Government’s and Sport England’s sport and physical activity strategies in the county level by supporting, developing and promoting physical activity in the local area.

I currently work as a Satellite Club Links Officer where I manage Sport England’s Satellite Clubs programme in Bedfordshire. This entails overseeing budget (Lottery Funding) that is contributed to the various organisations to run physical activity clubs for irregularly active young people to become active. I believe that the knowledge and skills I developed at UoB help me with some of my current day-to-day responsibilities including; supporting organisations delivery of physical activity clubs after they have received the funding and liaising with Sport England, National Governing Bodies of Sport, local authorities, charities, schools, clubs, coaches and participants to support sport and physical activity developments within the county.

Also I feel the staff in the Sport Science and Physical Activity Department at UoB were instrumental helping me with my writing / presentation skills and integration to the UK culture as I was a foreign student. I can see a direct benefit from it now as part of my job role I am also responsible of writing reports, funding applications and overseeing workforce courses (Safeguarding, Emergency First-Aid, CPD) provided for the county by team BEDS&LUTON.

I feel that the UoB provided me an excellent platform for my career. The staff and lecturers are all highly experienced and respected in their area of work and the sports facilities are outstanding for learning and enjoyment. Also, the studies were well balanced between theory and putting theory into practise. There are plenty of opportunities to network with the specialists from the industry and UoB has strong network of organisations to get involved within the UK and abroad.